Device for applying covers of flexible material to paper cups and like receptacles



June 3, 1958 c c. AUSTI 2,836,948

DEVICE FOR AP YINE; COVERS OF EXIB MATERIAL.

TO PAP CUPS AND L RECEPTA Filed March 1954 IN VEN TOR.

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United States Patent ii i 2,835,948 Patented June 3, 1958 DEVICE FOR APPLYING COVERS OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL TO PAPER CUPS AND LIKE RE- CEPTACLES Charles C. Austin, St. Paul, Minn., assignor to Sutherland Paper Company, Kalamazoo, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March 1, 1954, Serial No. 413,354

4 Claims. (Cl. 53319) This invention relates to a device for applying covers of flexible flberous material to paper cups and like receptacles.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a device for applying paper or fiberous covers to paper receptacles or the like which enables the rapid and secure application of the cover to a receptacle even though it may contain hot liquids.

Second, to provide a cover applying device having these advantages which is simple and economical and greatly facilitates the manual application of a cover to a receptacle.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a receptacle with the cover applying device in its seated cover applying position.

Fig. 2is a fragmentary view in vertical section on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an inverted view of the device of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is an inverted view of a modified form or embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 5 is an inverted view of another modified form or embodiment.

In the accompanying drawing 1 represents a paper receptacle having an internal annular upwardly facing cover seat or support shoulder 2. 3 represents a disclike cover desirably formed of paper stock of the character used for the receptacle and having a pull tab 4 extending from the edge thereof. These parts form no part of my invention as the device of my invention is designed for use in applying the covers to the receptacles. There are many products in which covered receptacles are used, particularly for foods and beverages.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 comprise a disc-like body member 5 having concentric radially spaced downwardly projecting cover seating flanges 6 and 7 on its underside.

In the structure illustrated the flanges and body member are molded integrally desirably from a synthetic resin. A notch-like recess or opening 8 extends inwardly at one side of the body member and through the flanges, this being provided to receive the pull tab 4 which is deflected upwardly by the wall of the receptacle when the cover is inserted therein as is best shown in Fig. 2.

The body member 5 is provided with an extension 9 having a perforation 10 therein. This extension 9 serves as a handle and the hole 10 may be engaged with a supporting nail or the like.

The device is designed primarily for use by retail dispensers of foods and beverages. To use the device the cover is loosely positioned in the top of the receptacle and pressed down to seating position by one of the flanges 6 or 7 depending on the size of the cover. The two flanges are provided to adapt the device for use on receptacles of different diameters. The body member seating on the nm 11 of the receptacle limits the downward thrust on the cover and insures proper seating of the cover. The flanges are desirably of such Width as to eifect a complete seating of the cover on the shoulder 2. However, the device may be used with receptacles which do not have cover supporting shoulders.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 4 the body member 12 is generally annular in shape with a slot 13 therethrough to receive the pull tab. The flanges 6 and 7 are radially spaced as in the preferred embodiment. There is some saving in stock and weight as compared to the preferred embodiment.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the body member 14 is provided with a perforated downwardly projecting flange 16 and with a cover seating flange 17. The body and flanges are notched at 18 to correspond to the tab receiving notches 8.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical embodiment thereof and embodiments in which the device is molded in one piece. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for applying a disc-like cover having a bendable pull tab projecting from the edge thereof to a receptacle having an upwardly facing internal annular shoulder-like cover seat spaced from its upper edge, the device comprising a disc-like body member of uniform thickness and having downwardly projecting concentrically disposed radially spaced annular flanges fixedly integral therewith, the inner edges of the flanges being in the same plane, the outer flange being spaced radially inwardly from the outer edge of the body mem ber, each flange being adapted to seat a cover upon the shoulder of a receptacle of a diameter exceeding that of the selected flange when the body member is in supported engagement with the rim of the receptacle, the flanges being substantially radially spaced permitting use of the device in applying covers to receptacles varying substantially in diameter at the tops thereof, the body member having a notch-like recess extending from the outer edge thereof and through both of said flanges and terminating at the inner side of the inner flange, said recess being adapted to receive a cover pull tab deflected upwardly by the wall of the receptacle in which the cover is inserted.

2. A device for applying a disc-like cover to a receptacle having an upwardly facing internal annular shoulder-like cover seat spaced from its upper edge, the device comprising a disc-like body member of uniform thickness and having downwardly projecting concentrically disposed radially spaced annular flanges fixedly integral therewith, the inner edges of the flanges being in the same plane, the outer flange being spaced radially inwardly from the outer edge of the body member, each flange being adapted to seat a cover upon the shoulder of a receptacle of a diameter exceeding that of the selected flange when the body member is in supported engagement with the rim of the receptacle, the flanges being substantially radially spaced permitting use of the device in applying covers to receptacles varying substantially in diameter at the tops thereof.

3. A device for applying a disc-like cover to a receptacle having an upwardly facing internal annular A a it I V 3 p shoulder-like cover seat spaced from its upper edge, the device comprising a body member having integral downwardly projecting concentrically disposed radially spaced annular flanges or" substantially the same vertical width the' outer flange; being spaced radially inwardly 'from, the outer edge "of the body member, each flange; being adapt'e'd "to se m, cover'upon the shoulder of a receptacle when the' body member is' in" supported engagement with the rimof'the receptacle, the flanges be;

ing substantially radially spaced permitting the selective use of a fiange tof a diameter to be received with.-

downwardly-"projecting concentrically disposed radially spaced annular flanges of substantially the same ver tical width, each flange being adapted to seat a cover upon the shoulder of a receptacle when the body memher is in'supported engagement with the rim of the receptacle, the flanges being substantially radially spaced 7 permitting the'selective use of a flange of a diameter'to be received within the receptacle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 817,865 Murphy Apr. 17, 1906 1,641,742 Dawson Sept. 6, 1927 1,803,328 Goodwin May 5, 1931 1,908,216 Bergmann May 9, 1933 2,726,029 Leclercet al. 5. Dec; 6, 

